Research Scientist - Remote Sensing Technology & Lab Specialist

Special Information

• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.
• This position is subject to the availability of funding. The incumbent is not eligible for Service Professional non-renewal notice, or Classified Staff layoff or recall status.

About the Department/College

NAU’s Radiant Center for Remote Sensing coalesces existing expertise in remote sensing and applications across the university to answer pressing scientific questions in multiple disciplines including planetary surfaces, atmospheres, ecology, forestry, wildfire science, environmental science, urban planning/geography, geoscience/volcanology, and anthropology/archeology. The Radiant Center is housed under the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) which promotes research, scholarship, and creative activity across Northern Arizona University.

About the Position

The Radiant Center for Remote Sensing seeks an experienced Research Scientist to primarily conduct and support remote-sensing research in alignment with Center priorities and projects. This position plays a critical role in advancing instrument development for Earth-based and planetary research while ensuring compliance with university, state, and federal regulations.

The successful candidate will lead research initiatives, define project goals, and facilitate successful interdisciplinary research. They will be encouraged and expected to pursue independent research through external funding as a Principal Investigator and/or Co-PI. Responsibilities include developing methodologies, improving existing processes, and applying analytical approaches to research challenges.

Due to the nature of the Radiant Center’s research activities, the incumbent must possess a deep and comprehensive knowledge of remote sensing laboratory and field equipment, including calibration processes, inventory control, and lifecycle maintenance of instruments such as spectrometers, precision calibration equipment, and UAV’s. The role involves planning and executing field campaigns, deploying UAVs and other remote sensing platforms, and ensuring proper calibration and readiness of all field and laboratory assets. The position requires expertise in processing and analyzing remote sensing datasets, integrating multi-sensor data streams, managing workflows that guarantee data integrity, and supporting advanced modeling for Earth and planetary science applications.

The successful candidate will remain current with emerging remote sensing technologies and field practices, uphold regulatory standards, and enable successful internal and external audits. They will mentor and evaluate students and research staff, fostering a collaborative and inclusive research environment. By facilitating these efforts, the Research Scientist will advance the Center’s mission in remote sensing and planetary science.

Responsibilities Include

60% - Independent Research

• Develop and lead independent research projects aligned with the Center’s mission in remote sensing and planetary science.
• Serve as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on proposals, including project design, budgeting, and reporting.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to expand research opportunities and funding streams.

20% - Fieldwork & Laboratory Standards

• Conduct & support research activities in off-site/outdoor environments and security-sensitive instrument laboratories.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, university, state, and federal regulations, as well as export-controlled and CUI requirements.
• Maintain controls required for laboratory and field operations.
• Ensure integrity, accuracy of research records.

15% - Training and Data Management

• Mentor and evaluate students and research staff on laboratory and field equipment use, calibration procedures, and data collection protocols.
• Support data integrity through proper workflows for sample preparation, laboratory analysis, and remote sensing data processing.
• Assist with integrating multi-sensor datasets and advanced modeling for Earth and planetary science applications.

5% - Other

• Perform additional tasks as needed to support the Center’s mission.

Minimum Qualifications

• Terminal degree in Remote Sensing, Earth Science, Planetary Science, Geospatial Science, or a closely related field.
• 6 years in a research or academic role involving remote sensing or field-based scientific investigations.

*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced expertise in a sub-discipline in remote sensing such as, but not limited to, hyperspectral imaging, UAV-based remote sensing, or instrumentation development.
• Demonstrated fluency in laboratory operations, including equipment calibration, inventory control, and compliance with safety and regulatory standards (for example, familiarity with OSHA standards, export control regulations, and handling of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)).
• Experience with UAVs, drones, and other remote sensing platforms, including deployment and maintenance.
• Proficiency in sample preparation and analysis, remote sensing data processing, and multi-sensor data integration, including experience with advanced modeling and data fusion techniques for Earth and planetary science applications.
• Proven track record as a Principal Investigator, including successful proposal development, grant management, and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated ability to work across interdisciplinary teams and establish partnerships with external organizations.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of remote sensing principles, laboratory operations, and field-based research methods.
• Expert understanding of research protocols, data collection techniques, and analysis workflows for multi-sensor datasets.
• Knowledge of proper safety and compliance practices, including OSHA standards, export control regulations, and handling of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
• Familiarity with UAV systems, remote sensing instrumentation, calibration procedures, and inventory management for laboratory and field equipment.
• Awareness of emerging technologies and best practices in remote sensing research.

Skills

• Developing and executing innovative data collection and analysis practices for Earth and planetary science applications.
• Leading research teams including postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students.
• Proficiency in remote sensing data processing, multi-sensor integration, and advanced modeling techniques.
• Competence in preparing research proposals, presentations, and publications for peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
• Strong mentoring skills for students and staff on equipment use, compliance, and data integrity.

Abilities

• Lead independent research projects as Principal Investigator, including proposal development, budgeting, and grant management.
• Analyze and synthesize complex datasets to derive conclusions and inform research objectives.
• Identify and organize research priorities, anticipate operational needs, and adapt to unforeseen challenges.
• Communicate effectively to coordinate research activities and convey results to diverse audiences.
• Maintain compliance and safety standards across laboratory and field environments while fostering collaborative research.

Compensation

Salary range begins at $72,000. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Pre-Employment Check

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Also, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Fire and Security Report

Each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Immigration Support/Sponsorship

Northern Arizona University will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Submit your Application

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by midnight of the application deadline.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.